Thanks for your input, Mr., uh, what was your name again?

I've just got to say that I absolutely adore the art of Donato Giancola and John Picacio. Bob Eggleton's work is consistently good and fun. I haven't been as familiar with the work of Dan Dos Santos before now but what I've seen impresses the crap out of me. Shaun Tan is doing some really inventive stuff, not always hitting the mark for me but definitely worthwhile and interesting, and I would love to see some of his paintings in person some day. In short, IMVHO, in very different ways all five artists are clearly masters of their craft. In technique. In composition. In originality, visual impact, color. That deeper sense of thoughtfulness (and sometimes whim) so obviously shines through the brushstrokes of each of them in turn. If I ever am fortunate enough to see a book of my own make it to print I would be deeply blessed to have cover art by any one of them, and when I saw the Hugo Nominations I had no quarrel whatsoever with any the choices there.

But what do I know? I've only got a freakin' degree in Art, so I'm clearly unqualified to judge.